Monster Kitchen is Good Food’s number one Canberra restaurant – and it’s not hard to see why.
Quirky and welcoming, the eclectic decor is engaging.
But it’s the food that is the real star.
Our lunch dishes were perfect! Beautiful, well priced and a unique combination of ingredients and textures.
The two of us first shared the:
Fried tofu with pickled shitake, boito soy, spring onion oil and sesame $18
Eggplant, smoked goat’s curd, katsuobushi and sesame $20
Pulled lamb shoulder with pistachio, yogurt, vine leaf, pomegranate and brik $30
I especially liked the pairing of the goat’s curd with the eggplant and the yogurt with the lamb shoulder. Thses gave the dishes a delightful creamy highlight. But I also loved the salty elements of the soy with the tofu and the katsuobushi with the eggplant.
The textured coating on the tofu had a lovely light crunch. I loved the colour and crunch of the pistachios and pomegranate with the lamb’s shoulder and the gorgeous green tinge on the tofu.
We finished with a dessert of Soft chocolate with mandarin, almond and rosemary $20.
This was also a perfect balance of textures and flavours, especially the ice-cream that came with it. The crisp garnish was excellent as was the puree garnish but the fresh mandarin would be better preserved.
Still on my wish list for another time is the Yabby Waffle $20, the Boxgum grazing beef tartare $23 and the Green tea dessert with coconut, raspberry and mille feuille $18.
I also want to try the Monster Light Lunch that offers specials like Spagetti with wagyu tongue, peas, capers, reggiano and chilli $17, Baby beet salad with wild rice, pear, walnut $16, Pork belly banh mi $13 or Boxgum grazing ham, pyengana cheddar and green tomato pickle $15 sered 12-5pm daily.
Fine Eating 
Great review Michele. I’ve enjoyed many a fine meal at Monster Kitchen and Bar. The food is always good and the atmosphere friendly. Albeit the prices for hungry people with generously proportioned appetites is a little steep.
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Great thoughts Gary! Thanks!!
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I agree. I wish reviewers will include a comment on the value of the dishes in terms of cost. This is important. If the dish provides real value in terms of what is being offered in terms of quantity and quality, that is a real plus. Food reviewers often ignore this element. High corkage and charging of accompaniments like chutneys is another aspect.
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I don’t always include the costs associated with a meal, mainly because I usually only see a total and rarely see an itemised bill. I should jot down the prices from the menu, but my dinner mates aren’t always that understanding.
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I know, food blogger diner companions are very long suffering but there are limits!
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Yes, I think it is good to know, so there’s no surprises. You can match your expectations to the price point. And if you’re organing a group, it’s good to know it will be in everyone’s budget.
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My daughter takes a quick pic of the menu – you get the prices then. Also, many restaurants have menus on line. You ban get prices from that too. Even if the menus aren’t up to date you can provide a round idea eg entrees are in the $20 range. I don’t think it’s too hard to get the prices if you want to?
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Yes, that’s it! I alwaus take a photo of the section of the menu we ordered from, not just for the current price but for the description for the post. That way you can just take a photo of the dishes, setting and menu and create the post later.
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Love their food – so exciting, so interesting, though those rhomboid tables aren’t wonderfully conducive to good chatting. Much prefer the tables “inside” if you know what I mean.
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Yes, there’s some great spots to sit and chat!
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That looks relaxed, elegant and interesting.
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It’s a very versatile spot!
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I have to admit I’ve never been there, will have to put it on my list!
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It’s great for an after movie drink or coffee and even working through the menu just one dish at a time!
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I’m in the same boat as Elissa, I’ve not been there either! The lamb shoulder looks enticing.
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It’s very popular, and rightly so!
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Sonds fabulous Michele, I still haven’t had a meal at Monster (just drinks), so will really have to give it a try 🙂
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I think working through the menu one dish at a time is pretty good too
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This is truly a great read for me. Keep up the good work. To spice up the level of fun, you can even add a Virtual Mimicry Artist to your bucket for this activity. We play Online employee engagement games.
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